Festival support builds stronger economy

From the rugby pitch to the harbour and high-street celebrations – great events both big and small have secured much-needed sponsorship and support in the City of Sydney’s latest round of grants.

The City is supporting the local economy and attracting visitors through its sponsorship of big-ticket and grassroots events including Australia Day, the Sydney Opera House 40th anniversary celebrations, the Bingham Cup and three village festivals.

The City is providing $630,000 in new sponsorship agreements, including:

$350,000 for Sydney’s Australia Day celebrations in 2014 and 2015;

$150,000 for the Sydney Opera House 40th anniversary celebrations in October 2013;

$50,000 for the Kings Cross Festival in November 2013;

$30,000 for the Glebe Street Fair in November 2013;

$30,000 for the Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art in May 2014; and

$20,000 for the Bingham World Cup of Gay Rugby in August 2014.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City was proud to provide increased support to events that play an important role in cementing Sydney as Australia’s premier events and culture hub.

“This funding package is part of the City’s commitment to ensuring Sydney is home to a year-round calendar of cultural events and community celebrations that attract interstate and international visitors,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Major events like Australia Day and the Sydney Opera House 40th birthday celebrations showcase the very best of what Sydney has to offer.

“Local village festivals like the Kings Cross Festival, Glebe Street Fair and Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art each draw significant crowds and support local business. In 2012 these events attracted more than 150,000 people to our villages, parks and high streets.”

The Australia Day Council estimates January 26 celebrations in the Sydney CBD deliver an extra $4.5 million to the economy; while organisers estimate local village festivals drew a combined crowd of 150,000 people.

The City’s support is in addition to the City’s own annual world-class event program, which includes Sydney New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year, Christmas and Art & About Sydney.

The sponsorship agreements will allow event organisers to expand their programs and introduce new activities and events. New elements to be supported by the City’s increased funding packages include:

Australia Day – a new national campaign in 2014 promoting Australia Day as a ‘must-see’ event, featuring the Eora Journey, walking tours, food trucks, and cycling facilities;

Sydney Opera House 40th anniversary celebrations – an architecture and design symposium, an open day to allow visitors to go ‘behind the scenes’, and proposed commemorative 40th anniversary projections on the building’s sails for 2013 Sydney New Year’s Eve; and

Village festivals and fairs – an expansion of festival calendars, promotion of local businesses, and increased cultural content reflecting each village’s distinct identity.

Each of these events brings significant economic and tourism benefits to the City of Sydney. In 2013 alone, the Australia Day celebrations drew crowds of over 500,000 and boosted the local economy by $5.8 million.

The Sydney Opera House 40th anniversary celebrations will see Denmark’s Crown Prince Couple, HRH Crown Prince Frederik and HRH Crown Princess Mary attend the event as patrons. The royal patronage recognises the achievement of Danish architect Jørn Utzon and reinforces the world heritage landmark as a key Australian cultural institution and international tourist attraction.